Band 2 coming to Australia as a Microsoft Store exclusive

The Microsoft Band 2, Redmond's second attempt at a fitness tracker, will make its way to Australia as a Sydney Microsoft Store exclusive when the company's flagship brick and mortar outlet opens on November 12. It will retail for AUD$379.

The original Microsoft Band never saw an Australian release.

Microsoft's new wearable is designed to provide a holistic fitness tracking experience, featuring GPS, an accelerometer, UV sensor and barometer. As with the original Band, the Band 2 ties in with Microsoft's Health app. In addition to keeping a record of a record of a user's sleep, calories burnt and distance travelled, Health is also able to help a user plan a post work out rest, for example.

The Band 2 is also able to provide notifications, run guided workouts, and tie in with Cortana for users with a Windows-based smartphone. It is compatible Windows Phone, iOS, and Android.

While Microsoft's Sydney store will be on the only place customers can get the Band 2, a Microsoft spokesperson said the company looks "forward to sharing the broader retail availability in the near future". Initial stock is said to be limited.